After they said their goodbyes, Sorcha put the mirror away. Kendric didn’t stir, so Conall gently set him down in the crib Miranda had provided for their use. Then he beckoned Sorcha over and pulled her into his embrace. She softened against him, her arms wrapping around his waist and holding tight.
“At least we’ll have dragon eyes to aid us,” Conall said.
“Do you have any idea what she means about the lack of sprites?”
“The only danger to them I know of are the poachers.”
“Is that why we’re headed south?”
“Aye. Tink knows Liang is dangerous, but if she ventured anywhere close by—if their birthlands are near there…”
Sorcha hugged him tighter. “Then we keep heading south to look for her. With the king helping, no one, not even a poacher, would dare harass us.”
* * *
The silent forests chilled Sorcha, raising goose bumps over her arms. While they were beautiful and verdant with life, it lacked the beautiful song whispering between the trees in the north. There, sprites hummed, and their twinkling lights darted in and out of the branches during their exuberant games of tag.
The southern reach lacked the playful activity, and both times she found little fairy homes nestled amidst trees or swaying branches, they were long abandoned. The fronds above the little roofs had gone brown, the grass walls dry as hay.
“Look, here’s another fairy door,” Conall muttered as he got down on all fours and peered at it. He tapped the blue door at the base of the tree with his finger, but no one answered. “We mean you no harm, little ones. We desire only a chat. I am Conall, werewolf leader of Clan TalWolthe, and I swear this to you upon honor and blood.”
No tiny voice cried out to him from within the hollowed trunk.
“Where have they all gone?” Sorcha asked. “They should be flocking around us by now, especially the baby.” Even a few of Tink’s shy little friends had stolen brief moments of cuddling with Kendric whenever they picnicked outside beneath the leafy boughs. The sprites would come up and touch his chubby cheeks, inhale his sweet baby breath, and leave little flowers in his curls.
“These woods stink of man,” Conall muttered. “I can smell it in the air.”
“Poachers?”
“Likely so. I can think of no other reason for them to flee their homes.”
They moved deeper into the forest, searching until the sun hovered at its highest point in the sky, but all they found were more empty homes and eerie silence. After that, they retreated back to the forest edge and made camp. Sorcha tossed one of the signal stones onto the fire and watched the crimson smoke rise into the air. Even in the brightness of the day, the color stood out, leaving a bright stain overhead in the sky. Unlike the clouds, the red smoke lingered despite the breeze.
“Sorcha, look.”
Conall’s call drew her attention away from the fire to the northern horizon, where jeweled specks glittered against the blue sky like rubies. While Sorcha had expected one dragon to accompany them, what they received were three. King Alistair arrived with Princesses Teagan and Elspeth on his heels. The youngest dragon hadn’t yet grown into her frame, and her gangly limbs brought to mind a young filly.
Alistair shifted, trading scales for armor and tartan, but Teagan and Elspeth remained in their dragon forms. From her talks with Anastasia, Sorcha surmised it was due to the fact that Elspeth hadn’t yet mastered shifting with her clothes. Few shifters, in fact, exhibited the control needed to do so. Alistair and Conall were among the exceptions. Teagan had a century of experience and wisdom in her favor, much older than her hotheaded nephew.
“Welcome, Your Highnesses.”
“There’s no need for any of that,” Alistair chided Conall in his deep and rumbling brogue. “We’re all friends, remember?”
“Aye, we are. And we appreciate you coming to help us get to the bottom of this,” Sorcha said.
“Splendid,” the dragon king replied. “Now, what have you found so far? I take it from the solemn faces that the little minx hasn’t appeared yet.”
“We found half a dozen sprite homes, all of them empty. Whether they’ve fled or were captured, though, we have no idea,” Conall replied.
“I pray for the former, but Ana and I suspect the latter.” Alistair joined them at the fire and took a seat, then proceeded to empty food and wine from his pack.
Sorcha accepted the fresh bread and wedges of cheese happily, eager to enjoy something more than trail rations. By the time the king was unpacked, they had enough for a hearty stew and a few indulgences.
“You believe the poachers have come this far north?” she asked. “We encountered them once or twice during our travels over the years, but Mum and Da’ always chased them off again.”
“They grew bold during the Scourge, but I hadn’t realized how much. While we suffered, their emperor provided no aid and failed to rein in his people. With safety restored to the land, it seems like they’ve decided to risk coming in further, knowing our people have yet to migrate to the south again.”
“What I don’t understand is why Tink would venture so far south,” Sorcha said. “Why would the sprite birthlands be in such an inhospitable place?”
“I doubt they choose the place of their birth,” Teagan said in her gentle voice. Shifting into her human shape revealed a thick leather cuirass over the green and gold tartan of Clan TalDrach. Of all members of the royal family, Teagan struck Sorcha as the gentlest, a quiet woman with a healer’s soul instead of a warrior’s spirit. “If it is a fixed location, the sprites have no say over where they appear. Considering that, Ana and I pored over old maps. This entire forest was once Ocland land, stolen little by little by Liang in recent years. With Rua dead and Alistair... out of the way, they saw an opportunity.”
A low snarl from Alistair reverberated through the forest growth. “I should have recognized their treacherous intentions. Had I done something sooner, it would never have come to this.”
Teagan placed her hand against his arm. “But you didn’t, and we can only fault you for so much, my nephew. But now the time comes when you and your wife must make a stand for Cairn Ocland. We cannot abide them taking our little ones any longer.”
Sorcha’s heart sank into the pit of her stomach, stirring nausea and the taste of bile to her mouth. “Does this mean they’ve taken Tink?”
“It’s possible. Their thieves were always a nuisance to us in the past, but never with such brazen pursuit. My brother needed only soar above our borders, and we would see neither hide nor hair of their ilk for years again.”
“I think it will take more than flying over our borders now.” Alistair grunted and cast his amber gaze toward the south. “Teagan and I will do what we can without instigating all-out war, but the time has come to meet with the Emperor of Liang.”
“While you two do that, I’ll scour the forest to the border. Which would be…?” Conall looked at Teagan.
The elder dragon knelt down and drew a map from a case tied to her waist. With Sorcha’s help, she rolled it out and traced a few distinguishing landmarks, including a thick blue line.
“The Strath River is the original borderline between our two kingdoms. My father and Liang’s emperor shook on it many centuries ago. While I was young, I still remember their vows to always maintain the peace and honor between the two nations.” Her dark eyes narrowed, and her nose crinkled. “Their ancestor would be disgusted.”
Conall looked down at the map Teagan had spread out and gave a nod. “Good. I’ll have a dozen wolves here within days. We’ll sweep our lands and make sure any poachers realize their mistake.”
Alistair clapped his hands together. “Fantastic. Now, I imagine they won’t be happy to find this land contested and there shall be some measure of resistance from the lads. This may be the proper time to part ways.”
“Part ways?” Conall asked.
“Aye. For your wife and little one. Now that our search for Tink has become a rescue missio
n, it’s for the best that Sorcha takes Kendric to safety.”
“It’s a long way back home to travel alone on foot,” Sorcha pointed out. “Unless you brought an invisible horse.”
“Sadly, I fear such creatures only exist in Samahara. I thought you might enjoy a quicker and smoother ride. Elspeth is a talented flier. Quicker than I am, for certain, and I can cross the kingdom in a day,” Alistair said. “Allow her to take you and the wee lad to Benthwaite while the three of us continue our search for the sprite.”
The young girl’s eyes lit with excitement. “You’ll let me take them?”
“If they’re agreeable.”
“I’d rather go with you to find Tink, but…” As her voice trailed, Kendric wiggled against her and grasped a handful of her dark hair. She smiled down at him. The Liangese were fierce warriors with alchemical tricks few Oclanders could rival. She’d heard stories that one of their assassins had come close to killing Alistair once, before his curse was broken. Could she risk exposing her son to their noxious clouds of deadly gases and poisons?
Her parents had carried her and Egan into danger because there had been no other choice. They could either travel the cursed lands together, or struggle to eke out a living in overrun communities where food was scarce.
Sorcha had more choices than the dismal options available to her mother years ago.
“I’ll do what I can to help Ana and coordinate with the other hunters while you search Liang. If Conall takes my mirror, we’ll be able to keep in touch to share any news.”
The king inclined his head. “I have one of my own, as does Teagan. Apart, we’ll cover larger ground while Anastasia serves as our contact.”
“Agreed,” Conall said. Her wolf stepped close enough to kiss their son’s ginger curls. Afterward, he raised her chin with a nudge of his fingertips and kissed her, too. “I love you, lass, and I promise we’ll bring Tink home. As for you, Princess Elspeth, you take good care of my wife and wee boy. Keep them safe for me.”
Elspeth leaned forward and stretched out her wings, excitement widening her draconic mouth into a grin. “I will!”
As much as Sorcha hated parting from her husband’s side, it was the best way to discover Tink’s whereabouts. He’d worry less, and she would be useful coordinating their various search parties with the queen’s aid.
More importantly, Kendric wouldn’t come within a hundred yards of a Liangese trap.
Chapter
AS JAMES PREDICTED, Joaidane had been livid and apologetic about the attack. Once, James thought nothing could be more frightening than an angry mage. Then he’d met Joaidane and realized a furious sorcerer born of a grand ifrit was absolutely terrifying.
A good thing the man was on their side.
“I wish we could have stayed longer,” Eliza mused from beside him, watching the horizon. Samahara’s coastline was barely a speck of white, and in a few minutes more, it would be out of sight completely. They’d left with the dawn, taking advantage of the favorable winds.
James turned his gaze to the woman on his left and patted her arm. “As do I, but it’s for the best. I didn’t want anyone else coming into harm’s way because of me.”
“Oh, I’m not blaming you,” she assured him. “Still, I wish I’d been at your side with my sword.”
“I came through well enough.”
Eliza ducked her head and laughed softly. “Yes, you did, and saved by a tiny sprite of all things. I wish I could have seen that too.”
“It was sort of scary.” Belle’s voice surprised them both, and they turned from the railing at the same time.
“And here’s your savior now, James,” Eliza said.
“Indeed, she is.” He bowed and smiled up at Belle. Her soft yellow glow brightened and transitioned to pink. The way she shifted through colors fascinated him.
“Tell me,” Eliza said, “where did you learn to fight? I’d not expected it.”
“Conall and his mate are warriors,” Belle answered. “Conall taught me to fight so I wouldn’t be defenseless against the Scourge. I’ve never fought assassins before, though.”
“I hope you’ll never have to again,” James said, offering out his hand. Belle tinkled and circled above his palm in a merry dance before settling down, her wings shining.
“How long until we get where we’re going?”
“A few days,” Eliza replied. “I think you’ll enjoy Neverland.”
“Neverland?”
James laughed. “It’s what the local call the Wai Alei Islands, since invaders have never landed there. Not in many generations, at least.”
“How come?” Belle asked.
“Because it’s protected by a giant sea serpent,” Eliza said. “Legends claim the sea witch conjured the creature up from the deepest, darkest depths of the ocean.”
Belle walked out to his fingertips and leaned toward Eliza. The pink had faded in place of lavender, a color which he still hadn’t deciphered. Now he wondered if it meant she was curious, or enthralled.
“So, the serpent and witch protect the islands? Except against pirates?”
“Oh no, they’ve warded off pirates before. Only those who mean the islanders no harm can pass,” Eliza told her. “In fact, the first time we tried to reach the islands, we were stopped by the serpent.”
The purple morphed into red, and Belle fluttered up from his hand. She twisted around, green eyes large in her face, and hovered inches away from his nose. “What did you do?”
“We fought at first,” he replied. “But then another ship arrived, one hailing from Ridaeron.”
“They fired at the serpent, and at us,” Eliza said, picking up the story. “Worse, they fired toward the island.”
“Then what happened?”
“We had to choose, the serpent or the attacking ship. And since the serpent left us to attack them, we decided to give it some help while we tried to make an escape of our own,” James said. “Of course, things didn’t go quite to plan. We lost a mast in the battle and were dead in the water.”
“I remember we were all certain the serpent would come back and drag us beneath the waves the way it did the Ridaeron ship,” Eliza continued. “But the serpent had vanished. Instead, the sea witch appeared.”
James grimaced at the memory. “Aye, she did. Since we helped bring down the other ship, we were given passage to the island, but with a warning.”
“What warning?” Belle asked.
“That if we caused any harm to the people of the island, we would suffer a fate far worse than being sunk by her serpent.”
Eliza broke the tension with a soft laugh. “Lucky for us that we’re not the sort to cause harm, yes? Ever since then, we’ve been friends with Tiger Lily and her people, free to pass through the witch’s domain.”
Belle shuddered. “I hope I never have to see it. Snakes give me the creeps.”
“Me, as well,” Eliza said with a wink. “Anyway, I’m off to grab some food and a nap before my turn at the wheel. You two enjoy the morning.”
His friend had hours until her watch, he knew, since he had written out the assignments, but he only gave Eliza a wave and watched her head off. The stories had dredged up old memories, ones he’d rather have forgotten, but seeing the fascination in Belle’s face eased the discomfort.
“What?” he asked her. “You look awestruck.”
“I guess I didn’t think there were so many dangers in the rest of the world,” she said. “Pirates, witches, and giant sea snakes.”
“You have dragons and wolves who take the shape of men,” he pointed out. “Surely you didn’t think your kingdom was the only one with such marvels and dangers.”
Tink drifted down to his palm again, her glow dimmed and a frown on her face. “I never really thought about it at all. Cairn Ocland is all I know aside from Creag Morden. I learned that before they were conquered, Dalborough was an evil, vile place. And I know that Liang likes to steal sprites like me. But I’ve never been to any of those places
before. This… this is my first big adventure.”
“While I’m saddened by the initial cause of your adventure, I am glad to have you here with us,” James said in a quiet voice. “I know you miss home, and I promise I’ll get you there, even if I must take you there myself.”
“I know you will.” She lifted from his hand and hovered close to his face, where she dropped a tender kiss against his cheek. The feathery touch sent his pulse into a wild gallop and enveloped him in more warmth than stepping into a pool of sunshine. His only regret was that he couldn’t return the gesture in kind.
“What was that for?” he asked.
“For being my friend and trusting me,” she said. “I’m glad it was you who found me, and I’m glad I was there with you in Samahara.”
“Because of all your pretty purchases?” he asked in a teasing manner, to hide how much her words had touched him.
“No, because you could have been hurt or killed, and that would have been awful. Not because you’re the one taking me home, but because you’re my friend. I don’t want to lose my friend, and I think the world is better for having you in it to save little boys and girls, as well as all the other people you rescue.”
James swallowed back the lump in his throat and lifted his hand, one finger extended for her to land on. Then he brought her close and carefully kissed the top of her golden head.
“I’m glad you were there, as well,” he said once he found his voice again.
Belle’s pink glow engulfed her from head to toe. She accepted her perch on his finger in lieu of her usual place on his shoulder. It brought him no end of happiness to have her there with him, and it brought even more joy each time she gleefully assisted with his daily tasks, because it made her happy. His Belle had taken to the ship life like a natural, and he looked forward to each evening when she’d tell him what she’d done for the day before they settled down with a book.
“What do we get to do today?” she asked.
“Today there’s nothing special. Smee and Nigel have accounted for all the supplies, we have fresh food and water, and the skies are clear. When we reach Neverland, however, we’ll careen the ship and there will be plenty of work for everyone.”
Belle and the Pirate Page 12
